NAFA World Series 23U
August 22, 2011
Rockford, IL
Here are the results from the World Series. I will complete a report when I get up. Long drive home after a long victorious day at the ball yard.
Tom
NAFA Under 23 World Series Champions
Eight teams competed this past weekend in Rockford, IL in the NAFA Under 23 World Series. Frankenmuth Driving School topped the field after finishing fourth in the ASA National Tournament in North Mankato, MN two weeks ago against several of the same teams and players. Frankenmuth started the road to the championship with a 10-0 victory over Ramsey Financial from Owen, IL. Winning pitcher Kyle Crawford threw 3 shutout innings while striking out 7. Jon Gwizdala threw the fourth inning and shutdown Ramsey with one hit to lead off the inning, followed by a fly out to left and an inning ending double play. Tyler Dudley was two for three, a double and a home run, and Joe Edwards also finished two for three, a double and a single.
Frankenmuth defeated Sand Prairie, IL Construction 3-1 in game two, as Crawford won his second game, firing a one hitter with ten strikeouts. The score was tied 1-1 in the fourth inning when Tyler Kelly tripled with one out. Rob Lewis promptly stepped up and drilled a long two run home run over the left field fence.
Kevin Boyd pitched game three as Frankenmuth defeated the ASA 23 and under champions from Missouri 8-1 in 5 innings. Boyd allowed 3 hits and struck out five in five innings. Tyler Dudley was two for three including his second home run of the tournament. Boyd and Joe Edwards also were 2 for 3 in this game.
Kyle Crawford and Jon Gwizdala combined to fire a no-hitter against Stadium Lanes of Duluth, MN in game 4. Crawford struck out nine in four innings and Gwizdala close the game out by striking out the side in the fifth. Dudley hit his third home run and Rob Lewis his second this game. Mark Gwizdala hit a three run home in the fourth for a 6-0 lead.
Frankenmuth and the Columbus OH Capitals met in the semi-final game. Frankenmuth built a 7-1 lead after four innings. Columbus lead off the fifth inning by scoring 4 runs on four straight hits and a walk off of Kyle Crawford, who appeared to be cruising along. Columbus closed the gap to 7-5, before Crawford stuck out a batter and strand a runner after two ground outs. Crawford settled down and allowed one hit the last two innings. Rob Lewis kept his hot hitting alive as he drilled his third home run of the tourney as well as a single and two rbi's in three trips. Kyle Kreiger was two for three and an rbi as well.
Frankenmuth was the home team as they began the championship game against the Toro's of Topeka, Kansas. Kyle Crawford was back in the circle for the big game. Frankenmuth escaped the inning without a run. A one out double was negated as catcher Kyle Kreiger blocked a low pitch and caught the runner at second too far off the base and was put out in a rundown. The next batter, Joel Harris, doubled, but was stranded at second.
Frankenmuth chased starter Josh Petett from the game in the first inning when Mark Wright walked with one out and scored the first run of the game on a double by Rob Lewis. Kevin Boyd had a two out single scoring Lewis.. Kyle Crawford allowed just two hits the rest of the way. Frankenmuth scored two more runs in the third and ended the game in the bottom of the fifth with three more runs. With two out and the score 6-0, Kyle Kreiger began the celebration with along home run over the center field fence.
Rob Lewis was named the Most Valuable Player and was an All World selection as he was 7 for 14 with three home runs and 10 rbi. Kyle Crawford was the Most Valuable Pitcher with 5 wins while striking out 42 batters in 24 innings. Kevin Boyd, Tyler Dudley and Tyler Kelly were also All World selections for Frankenmuth.
The Marshall MI Lightning finished as runnerup in the AA Major Division to the IAC/Cardinals of California, 1-0 in nine innings.
A group of Free Agents including Frankenmuth Driving School players from Michigan including MVP Jon Gwizdala, All World selections Jared Stewart and Mark Gwizdala as well as Caitlin Porter, Drew Thurston and Zach Lach were all on the runnerup team in the younger division.
